New Cheboygan Bucks program encourages local shopping

Friday

Nov 23, 2012 at 6:26 PMNov 26, 2012 at 2:36 PM

Cheboygan Bucks will be available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce office beginning Friday, November 30th. Cheboygan Bucks can be purchased in $5, $10, and $20 denominations. This “cash” can then be spent at any Chamber member business that is willing to participate. After accepting Cheboygan Bucks, businesses simply bring them down to the Chamber office, where they will be reimbursed for the full face value on the notes.

Tribune Staff Report

Cheboygan supporters push the idea that people should support local businesses and shop locally whenever possible to keep the local economy strong. The Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce is launching a new program to do just that. Cheboygan Bucks will be available for purchase at the Chamber of Commerce office beginning Friday, November 30th.

Cheboygan Bucks can be purchased in $5, $10, and $20 denominations. This "cash" can then be spent at any Chamber member business that is willing to participate. After accepting Cheboygan Bucks, businesses simply bring them down to the Chamber office, where they will be reimbursed for the full face value on the notes.

"We are very excited to launch this new program to encourage people to shop locally," said Matthew J. Friday, Executive Director of the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce. "Cheboygan Bucks assure that local money is kept local, that money that is spent here stays here."

When individuals come in to purchase Cheboygan Bucks, they will also be provided with a list of participating member businesses. This list will be continuously updated when new businesses opt in. Business owners accepting Cheboygan Bucks will also be provided with a sign to display to let the public that they are participating in the program.

"It costs nothing for member businesses to participate, and it's a win-win for everyone. Ideally businesses will see more traffic, not just around the holidays, but throughout the year. Shoppers, meanwhile, get their choice of how to spend their Cheboygan Bucks as they please." said Friday.

The only requirement for member businesses to participate is to accept Cheboygan Bucks. Local participating businesses are encouraged to include acceptance of Cheboygan Bucks into their marketing and advertising campaigns, or perhaps offer discounts to those who pay with the notes to increase interest in using Cheboygan Bucks.

"Cheboygan Bucks also make great gifts, or the perfect alternative to cash for an employee incentive program or bonus. Best of all, each dollar spent on a Cheboygan Buck is money that must be spent right here in our community." Friday said. "Shoppers should feel comfortable knowing that Cheboygan Bucks do not expire, this is a year-round program." he added.

To kick the program off, the Chamber will be giving away ten prizes of $100 in Cheboygan Bucks. Just stop in at the Chamber of Commerce in Washington Park and fill out a slip to register for the drawing. Cheboygan Bucks will be on sales 9:00 a.m. on Friday, November 30th.

According to Friday, using Cheboygan Bucks is a small thing that everyone can do to help our local economy.

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